George rosner



AM, PHOTO-LITHOVCU. FLY, (USEGRNE'S PROCESS.)

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.'y

GEORGE ROSNER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW' YORK.

LOCK.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 30,092, dated September 18, 1860; Ressued July 25, 187i, No. 4,488.

The nature of my invention consists, as

applied to that class of locks, known as combination locks, where the bolt can be moved only when one or more wheels connected with the lock occupy each a certain;

position, (which position of the wheels depends upon the combination to which they have been set)-each wheel being composed of two or moreparts, the relative position of which to each other determines the combination to which that particular wheel has been set.

I-Iitherto, to change the combination, requisite to move the bolt, it has been necessary to remove these wheels from the lock, rearrange the relative position of the different parts of one or more of the wheels, and replace them in the lock.

The object of the first part of my invention is to obviate the necessity for this removal of the wheels, and I effect the desired result by attaching to each of the wheels a secondary lock, so arranged upon each wheel, that when the lock is in combination, or in such a condition that the bolt can be moved,rthe key-holes to the secondarylocks of the different wheels shall be opposite each other, and also opposite an opening in the back of the lock, so that in this position it is possible to insert, through the opening in the back of the lock, the key into the series of secondary locks. By turn ing this key to the secondary-locks, thatportion of each wheel, the definite relative position of which to the lock is necessary to the possibility of moving the bolt, is fixed in the required denite relative position while freedom of motion is given to that other portion of each wheel, the relative osition of which to the first portion (now gxed and immovable) determines the combination to which that wheel it set. The

now freely moving portions of the wheels being arranged in new combinations, by moving the handle or key to the lock proper, the key to the series of secondary locks is turned back-the (temporarily) movable portions of each wheel are thus rendered fixed with reference to each other-while the (temporarily) immovable portion of the wheel is freed, giving freedom of motion to the wheel as a whole, and the lock is ready for use under its new combination.

For convenience of description I have spoken of my invention as applicable only to locks in which wheels are used, but it is evident that the same principle may be applied to locks in which wheels are not used. The idea embodied in the first part of my invention being this-where the possibility of moving the bolt depends upon the definitev relative position to the lock of a movable portion of it-where this movable portion is composed of two or more parts, rigidly attached to each other, but so attached as to admit of a definite number of changes in the relative position of the parts-where the relative position of the handle or key, necessary to the definite relative position of the movable portion of the lock depends on the relative position of the parts composing the movable portion of the lockewhere these conditions all obtain, the idea embodied in the first part of my invention is this-the introduction of one or more secondary locks by means of which the movable portion of the lock may be held (temporarily) stationaryin that definite relative position necessary to the possibility of moving the bolt, while the different parts of the movable portion are rendered (temporarily) free to assume new relative positions according to the combination selected by the operator. The

new combination once selected; the free-k dom of motion between the different parts of the movable portion is ended, by means of the secondary locks ,the movable portion is no longer held stationary, but is 'free to move as a whole-and the lock can.

be operated only by using the combination .to which it was last set.

In this specification wherever the secondary-lock is referred to-in every case the word secondary is connected with it;

where the word lock is used without the word secondary, the lock proper is alluded to.

In case of the employment of a series of wheels in a lock, as previously described, where any portion of one wheel rubs against any portion of another wheel, they are liable to adhere to each other and move, when it is not intended that they should movethereby giving to the wheels different positions from those desired.

The nature of the second part of my invention is to prevent such unintentional motion-by providing a peculiar form of independent bearings for the different wheels. Y

Some forms of combination locks have an opening at the back, through which, when accessible, it is possible to determine the combination upon which the lock is set.

The nature of the third part of my invention is to provide a cover to such opening, so arranged that the opening shall be closed and inaccessible when the bolt is in (i. e. when the lock is in the condition it would naturally assume, when the door to which it is attached is open and accessible). To gain access to the opening it is necessary, not merely to open the door, but also afterward to throw the bolt out.

When the tumbler of a lock rests continuously upon a movable portion of the lock, which movable portion the tumbler 7 is to enter when the combination is right; it is possible for one experienced to detect by feeling and sound the required combination.

The nature of the fourth part of my invention consists in so arranging the tumbler as that it never rests on the movable portion of the lock, which it is to enter when the combination is right, while that movable portion is in motion. The same arrangement also renders it impossible to wrench the lock, when the bolt is out, by turning the handle in either direction.

As applied to that form of lock, designated in the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specication, its operation is as follows: Vhen the handle is pulled forward, the spindle attached to it gears into the eccentric which moves the bolt-but ungears from the wheels, which determine the combination. The eccentric can move the bolt however only when the combination is correctly set, so that the tumbler can fall into the slot in the wheels. In this position the tumbler rests upon the movable portion (i e. wheels) of the lock, but they are incapable of being moved. When the handle and spindle are pushed in, a disk attached to the spindle, having. a slightly coned edge, lifts the tumbler from the wheels, and at the same time the spindle gears into the wheels and ungears from the eccentric. So long as the spindle is geared into the wheels, the coned disk renders it impossible for the tumbler to rest upon or enter the wheels, even thoughy the latter are set to the right combination After the wheels are set to the right oombinatiom it is necessary to pull out the spindleremoving the coned disk from' under the tumbler-before the tumbler can descend-which descent is a l:Secessary antecedent to the motion of the olt.

The novelty of my invention which eifects this consists in giving to theY tumbler two independent bearings-one on the coned disk, to be used when the spindle is geared into the movable wheels-the other on the movable wheels, to be used when they are at rest and the spindle is geared into the eccentric, which moves the bolt. Also to this novel elfect is necessary the construction of the tumbler in two partsone part (which rests on the coned disk) capable of motion in one direction (as vertical)-the other part (which moves with the bolt) capable of motion in two directions (as vertical and horizontal)-the second part sliding (horizontally) through a projection from the first part.

IVhere an eccentric is used to throw the bolt-if the tumbler rests upon any delicate portionof the lock, (as the movable wheels) it rises and falls several times for each revolution of the eccentric, thus hammering this delicate portion of the lock. l

The nature of the fifth part of my inven tion consists in providing a spring to hold up the tumbler independent of the two supports for it, described in the fourth part above. A lateral projection from the eccentric presses this spring in and allows the tumbler to fall upon the wheels (and if the combination is right, to catch the eccentric) once in each revolution of the eccentric. From this position it is immediately raised by another portion of the eccentric, and restored to its position of rest upon the spring. Thus for each revolution of the eccentric, the tumbler drops but once from the spring, resting upon the spring during most of the revolution.

Where a lock is constructed with a spindle passing into the lock from the handle or key, it is possible for an evil disposed person to damage the lock, by driving in the spindle with a Sledge.

The nature of the sixth part of my invention consists in providing the spindle with a shoulder to butt against some more solid support, (than the lock itself), which may receive the force of the blow and thereby prevent it from injuring the lock itself.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

Figure l represents a vertical sectionall elevation through the center of the lock.

Fig. 2 represents an elevation of the eccenlwhich has but a single motion (vertical).

Fig. 7 represents a plan of the key to the secondary-lock. Fig. 8 represents a cross section of the key to the secondary-lock. Fig. 9 represents a method of closing the opening in the back of the lock, left `for the insertion of the key or for any other purpose.

Similar characters represent the same part, as seen in different gures.

A, represents the handle; the outer edge of the base (a,) of which is subdivided into any number of parts, (say 100) each subdivision being designated in any convenient way, as by numbers. This handle fits into and turns in a socket B, upon which is a single mark b. Then any number on the subdivisions vof the handle is opposite the mark Y), the handle is said to be set to that number.

C, represents a spindle, to which the handle A is rigidly attached by the screw o. A projection from the handle (not shown in the drawing) enters a hole in the spindle C, preventing any slipping between the handle and the spindle.

d, represents a shoulder on the spindle to prevent it from being driven through the lock to its damage.

D, represents a wooden covering to the lock; when however the lock is applied to a door, this wooden covering is removed, (its thickness corresponding to the thickness of the door) and a steel plate, attached to the door, affords a firm rest for the shoulder to butt against.

E, represents a coned disk rigidly attached to the spindle C. The handle A, spindle C, and disk E are capable of revolving together, and are also capable of a lateral motion.

F, represents the eccentric which moves the bolt R. Vhen the lock is in the position shown in the drawing, e. with the handle pushed in as far as possible) this eccentric rests freely upon the spindle C, but does not revolve with it. IVhen the handle ispulled out, the spindle moves with it, and a projection f, from the coned disk E, enters a slot h, in the eccentric F; thus gearing into the eccentric which now partakes of the rotary motion of the spindle and handle.

H, I, and J, represent three movable wheels. Then the spindle is in the position shown in the drawing, a projection z', from the coned disk, striking against a projection 7c; from the wheel H; prevents the handle from making a complete revolution without moving the wheel H. After the projections i, and 7;, rest against each other, the wheel H and spindle C, move together until the motion ot' the spindle is reversed.' Similarly a projection 8, from the back of the wheel H, striking a projection t', from the front of the wheel I, compels the two wheels to move together, after one revolution of the wheel H, and similarly projections u, and fr, from I, and J, compel J, to move with I, after o-nc revolution oiE I,-these simultaneous motions ceasing when a change is made in the direction of rotation, until a single revolution has been made in the opposite direction, when they recommence. Hence after one revolution of the spindle, H must revolve with the handle A; after two revolutions of the spindle, H, and I, must revolve with the handle A; and after three revolutions of the spindle, H, I, and J, must all revolve with the handle A. `When the spindle is drawn out, so as to gear in with the eccentric, in the manner already described, the projections z', and 7c, can no longer strike against each other, and the spindle becomes ungeared from tliewheels, as it gears into the eccentric. Thus the spindle can never at the same time be in gear with both the wheels and the eccentric. The wheels however -always remain in gear to each other.

K, L, and M, represent the independent bearings to the wheels H, I, and J. Their construction and mode of action is as follows: K, is screwed to the back of the lock; then the wheel J, is placed in position; then the bearing L, is slipped on to K; then the wheel I, is placed in position; then the bearing M, is slipped on to K, and lastly the wheel H, is placed in position. A screw, shown dotted at Z, holds L, and M, rigid. Thus the wheels come in contact only by means of the projections alluded to, and move treely over these independent bearings.

N, represents that portion of the tumbler which has but one motion, (as vertical) sliding in grooves in the frame 7 of the lock.

(3,) represents an arm of N, which enters the slots in the wheels, when the combina tion is right, and allows the whole tumbler to desc-end. The lower port-ion of N always rests on the coned disk E, when the spindle is in gear with the wheels H, I, and J. The method in which N, acts in combi nation with the wheels, and with the coned disk has been already suliiciently described.

O, represents that portion of the tumbler which has two motions (as vertical and horizont-al). In making the horizontal motion,

the part m, vslides through the projecting prongs a, of N. These prongs n, prevent O, from descending without N, and while they form a connection with O, do not interfere with its horizontal motion.

P, represents the spring which holds up the tumbler O, except when it (P,) is pressed in by the projection 29, of the eccentric F, as already described.

R, represents the bolt, and the movable frame attached to it, in which the tumbler O slides up and down.

Figs. 4 and 5, indicate the position, mode of attachment, and action of the secondarylocks -'-also the structure of the movable wheels. The wheel H, is here shown in the position it occupies when set to the right combination; the slot (1,) being under the slot (2,) in which the arm (3,) of the tumbler N, rests. The wheel H, is composed of three parts-the part (4,) being already alluded to as that part the definite relative position of which to the lo-ck is necessary. to the possibility of moving the bolt, 2'. e., however the other parts of the wheel are situated, this part (4,) must occupy the position here shown, before the tumbler can fall and the bolt move. (5,) and are the two remaining parts of the wheel, screwed together in such a way as to allow them to move as a single piece, revolving (when free to revolve) concentrically with Upon the edge of (5,) 'teeth are arranged, corresponding in number with the subdivisions on the handle. As the spindle gears into the part (5,) of the wheel, and not into the part (4,) it is evident that as the relative fixed position of to (4,) varies, so will vary the position necessary to give to the handle, to bring the slot (1,) opposite the slot (2,). The wheels I, and J, are constructed essentially similar to H; the projections which gear into each other must however be attached to the internal part of each wheel, and not to the external disk, corresponding to (4). The wheels being all in the position of H, (Fig. 4,) the key-holes (12,) to the secondary locks come opposite to each other, and opposite to an opening in the back of the lock; and the key T, may be inserted from the back of the lock. This key (T,) being turned, the bolts (7,) to the secondary locks enter the slot (8,) in the edge of the boX made to receive the wheels. The act of throwing forward this bolt to the secondary locks fixes the outer disks, corresponding' to (4,), rmly, and allows 4'the inner disks, corresponding to (5,) and (6,) to assume new relative positions with reference to the outer disks, according to the choice of the operator.

When a new combination has been made by the handle A, then the key T is turnedl other, the teeth on the bolt (7 gearing into the teeth on the edge of the disk (53; the key T is withdrawn; the wheels are ree to revolve as a whole; and the lock can be operated only by using the new combination, to which it is set. The click (9,) is used to stop the motion of the wheels op osite a given number, and not half way etween two numbers. It is only applied to the wheel H. The n secondary lock consists of a cam or eccentric (13) into which the key T, enters and which turns with the key. The tumbler (14) acted upon by the spring (1.5) holds the cam (13) when the latter has made half a revolution; this prevents any accidental motion'to the bolt (7 eXcept that given by the key T. It is not essential that the bolt (7) when it is thrown forward should enter the slot (8) as already described, because the presence of the key T in the secondary locks is itself suflicient to hold the disks, corresponding to (4), firmly; as a matter of convenience and precaution I prefery however the form of construction here described. The bolt (7) moves with the eccentric U, represents a disk attached to the back part of the lock, which is partly rotated by the motion of the bolt R. At the latter end of the motion of the bolt R, the pin (10), attached to R, suddenly moves the disk U forward or back, thereby moving the lever V, and opening or closing the key-hole to the secondary locks, shown dotted at (11) Fig. 9, shows the position of the parts, when the bolt is in and the key-hole (11) closed.

`What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. rlhe attachment to a lock of one or more secondary locks for the objects substantially as set forth.

2. The construction of the secondary lock and its attachment to the movable portion of the primary lock; substantially as herein described.

3. The independent bearings K, L, and M, to the wheels H, I, and J, constructed substantially as herein described.

4. In case of locks requiring an opening in the back; the attachment of a cover to some movable portion of the lock, which cover shall close the opening, except when the bolt of the lock is out, for the object substantially as set forth.

5. The construction of the tumbler with two independent bearings-one on a disk (as E) revolving with the handle of the lock-the other on the movable wheels H, I, &c. substantially as herein described.

6. The construction of the tumbler in two parts-the first part capable of motion in a single direction-the second part capable of motion in the same direction as the first part, and also in a direction at an angle (as a right angle) to the motion of the first part, for the object and in the manner 8. The construction of the spindle 0f the Substantially as herein described. lock with a Shoulder, for the object sub- 10 b1 7. ghe combination of the sprifng P, tunistantially as herein set forth.

er and projecting cam p, o the eccentric F, for the purpose of supporting the 'GEORGE ROSNER tumbler during the greater part of the Vitnesses: revolution of the handle of the lock, sub- JOS. W. SPRAGUE, stantially as herein described. GEO. ARNOLDT. 

